Tornado

A. Tornado Watch

1.    A tornado watch means that weather conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado.  Faculty, Staff and Students will be alerted to impending dangerous weather through the OKRA ALERT via text and email.

B.    Tornado Warning

1.    A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has actually been sighted in the surrounding area. Faculty, Staff and Students will be alerted to impending dangerous weather through the OKRA ALERT via text and email. Storm Warning Sirens will be activated.
2.    The sirens emit a continuous sound warning.  University Police will also drive thru campus sounding their car sirens.
3.    During the spring season, tornado sirens are tested on Saturday’s at noon.  The tests last for thirty seconds.  In the event that the sirens sound for longer than thirty seconds, you should initiate tornado protection procedures.
4.    Tornado Protection Procedures

1.    OKRA ALERT and Pop up messages will notify personnel when a tornado warning is in effect. Radios should then be monitored in administrative offices.

2.    When given instructions to go to a designated tornado safety area, open the windows clear the classrooms, and direct individuals to a shelter area. If there is no designated shelter, a first floor interior hallway, room or closet away from windows and doors shall serve as a shelter area.

3.    Keep hallways clear by standing against the wall. When a tornado approaches, all individuals should assume kneeling position facing the wall with heads bent down.

4.    Stay away from doors and windows.

5.    Laboratories should be secured.  Shut off gas burners or other laboratory equipment which could cause additional health and safety concerns.

6.    Do not leave the shelter area until the “all clear” has been given.

7.    The following areas should be considered “off limits” during a tornado evacuation:

i.      Near outside doors
ii.     Any location on the upper floors of buildings
iii.    Any outside area
iv.   Near windows

C.    In case of a tornado warning the City of Cleveland will sound an alarm for approximately three minutes.  University Police will patrol campus and announce the tornado warning using the vehicle public address (PA) system.  Delta State University’s “Emergency Text Messaging” (OKRA ALERT) system will be deployed.   An instant message and email will be sent over the computer to all offices advising of the warning.  Hall directors will be contacted by telephone/text and advised in order for them to notify their residents.

D.    Safe places of Shelter in the case of a tornado are inside the building, away from windows on the lowest level.  (You may use some or all the following examples of safe places for shelter in your building plan)

1.    In an office or classroom building-go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor and sit or kneel facing the interior wall.  Stay away from area of glass or windows.
2.    In resident halls-go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor and sit or kneel facing the interior wall.  Evacuate the top floors.  Stay away from glass and windows.
3.    In homes or apartments-go to lower floors seek shelter under a heavy table or heavy furniture in the center point of the house or apartment.  Stay away from glass and windows.
4.    Avoid windows, auditoriums, gymnasiums, cafeterias, or other buildings with large, free-span roofs.